Blister Forces Rory McIlroy to Quit Practice Round Early at PGA Championship

Rory McIlroy's preparation for the PGA Championship hit a snag Tuesday when a painful blister on his right foot forced him to abandon his practice round after three holes at Aronimink Golf Club.

The six-time major champion limped slightly during Sunday's final round of the Truist Championship. "Yeah, I've got a blister on my pinky toe on my right foot, but it's underneath my nail," McIlroy said Sunday. He added that it started developing Friday and was sore because he could not reach it.

McIlroy took matters into his own hands before Tuesday's round. "I ended up ripping the toenail off last night, just because it was bothering me so much," he told the Irish Independent. "I just got in the bath and got the toenail to soften up and then burst the blister that was underneath. It feels better today."

He also switched to a larger shoe size to accommodate the injury. During the practice round, McIlroy fiddled with his right shoe and sock before quitting.

Such blisters can prove distracting for players who walk more than a half-dozen miles over the course of a major. McIlroy ranks as the No. 2 favorite to claim the Wanamaker Trophy this week, trailing only world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, the defending PGA champion.